Commissario Montalbano on DVD These episode descriptions were obtained from the website of RAI Trade, the distributor of world-wide licensing for the series. 1 - The Snack Thief Il Ladro di Merendine Detective Montalbano investigates the murder of a man called Lapecora, the owner of an import-export company. His widow suspects that her husband was killed by his lover Karima, a young Tunisian woman who mysteriously disappeared the very day of the murder. Montalbano manages to track down the womans son, François, who had been hiding, terrified in the streets of the neighbourhood. As the detective investigates and the mystery becomes darker and more complex, what will happen to little François? 2 - The Voice of the Violin La voce del violino Accidentally, Detective Montalbano finds the naked corpse of a young woman in a villa outside the village. Montalbano starts investigating and finds out that the woman, Michela Licalzi, had recently bought the villa and come to Sicily from Bologna to restore it. Unfortunately the case is taken away from Montalbano and precious time will be lost while the Detective tries to get his case back.

3 - The Shape of Water La forma dell'acqua Luparello, a leading politician, dies in the arms of the daughter of a political rival while making love to her. It seems pretty straightforward, but Montalbano discovers that it was all staged by Rizzo, another political opponent, who didn't count on Giorgio, Luparello's young lover, in whose arms the politician had actually passed away. 4 - Terracotta Dog Il Cane di terracotta An informer reveals to Montalbano the existence of an arms cache in a cave outside of town. In the cave, in addition to the load of weapons, the police find two bodies in a secret chamber buried seemingly according to an obscure ritual. Montalbano is curious about the find, but first has to deal with the issue of arms smuggling unveiled by the informers revelation. Severely injured after an ambush set up by the Mafia to prevent him from proceeding with the inquiry, he will spend most of his convalescence trying to solve the mystery of the bodies in the cave.

5 - Trip to Tindari La gita a Tindari Detective Montalbano is faced with a double mystery: the murder of Nenè Sanfilippo, a freelance informatics expert, and the disappearance of Mr. and Mrs. Griffo, an elderly couple last seen during an excursion to Tindari. Montalbano suspects that Sanfilippos affair with Vania Titulesco, the Rumanian wife of noted transplant surgeon Eugenio Isgrò, has something to do with his death. Then, when the charred bodies of the Griffos are found, the detective discovers that the elderly couple had been renting a farmhouse to Sanfilippo, who supposedly used it to meet with his lover. 6 - The Touch of the Artist Tocco d'artista Goldsmith Alberto Larussa would appear to have committed suicide by turning his wheelchair into an electric chair. But then detective Montalbano discovers that the dead mans will, which leaves everything to his brother Giacomo, has been forged. Giacomo is arrested.

But then after further research, Montalbano learns that years earlier, during a fight over Emma Morpurgo, a girl they had both fallen in love with, Giacomo had pushed Roberto down a stairway, leaving him paralysed. To avenge this, Alberto had staged his death in order to make it look like the murderer was his brother. 7 - Sense of Touch Il senso del tatto The apparently accidental death of a blind man leads Montalbano to an island off the coast of Sicily where the passing of a local fisherman leads to the discovery that he and the blind man had each deposited huge sums of money in their respective bank accounts. 8 - Montalbanos Croquettes Gli Arancini di Montalbano When Mr. Pagnozzi, chairman of a public works company, and his young wife Stefania are found dead in their car in a gully, the immediate conclusion is an accident. However, the fact that the womans nails are broken causes Montalbano to suspect that things are not that simple and that the couple was in fact murdered.

The investigation, initially focused on some Albanian immigrants, gradually reveals the secrets in Pagnozzis past and how these secrets returned to haunt him and his young unfaithful wife. 9 - The Scent of the Night L'odore della notte The financial wizard Emanuele Gargano has disappeared with the savings entrusted to him by the people of Montelusa. Where is he now? Basking on some distant island or feeding the fishes, punished by an irate Mafioso? Montalbanos investigation brings him into contact with Maria Stella Cosentino, Garganos loyal assistant, and the beautiful Michela Manganaro, another employee who tells him that Gargano was gay and involved with the third employee Giacomo Pellegrino. 10 - The Goldfinch and the Cat Il Gatto e il Cardellino A series of mysterious muggings takes place in Vigata, end in tragedy when one of the victims is killed. Meanwhile, a man virtually destroys the emergency room of the local hospital upon discovering that his daughter is pregnant. A local gynaecologist has also gone missing and could possibly be dead.

When he finds out that the missing doctor is responsible for the unwanted pregnancy, Montalbano starts to discover the link between these incidents and so brings each case to its occasionally surprising conclusion. 11 - Turning Point Il giro di boa Montalbano's most difficult case begins during one of his morning swims, when he finds a badly decomposed body floating in the water. While consulting a fisherman on what might have happened, the detective spots a group of illegal immigrants being escorted ashore... 12 - Equal Time Par condicio The murder of Angelo Bonpensiero would appear to be the start of a mafia war. Montalbano has his doubts. He is then taken off the case and assigned to investigate the disappearance of a young Ukrainian woman, seemingly unrelated to the previous case he will find out that he should have trusted his instinct after all... 13 - The Spiders Patience La pazienza del ragno The kidnapping of Susanna Mistretta puzzles Montalbano. Her family, once wealthy, has fallen on hard times. Only her uncle, Antonio Peruzzo, a successful local businessman hoping to enter politics, could possibly pay the large ransom.

Digging deeper into the family's affairs Montalbano realizes that Peruzzo was the cause of the family's financial ruin and that Susanna is not really in danger after all... 14 - Find the Lady Il gioco delle tre carte The death of a local construction tycoon Girolamo Cascio leads Montalbano back to the murder of Cascio's leading competitor, Giacomo Alletto, who was shot and killed two decades earlier, a crime pinned on the man's business partner, Rocco Pennisi who was sent to jail. Lead as ever by his infallible gut feeling, Montalbano unearths a twentyyear- old conspiracy.. 15 - Paper Moon La luna di carta Wealthy womanizer Angelo Pardo is killed in what seems to be a crime of passion. But Montalbano, as usual, refuses to trust appearances and carries out the investigation his way, delving into the victims past and talking with anyone that may be involved in the case. Including a number of politicians who start dying one after the other, victims of a bad batch of cocaine.

In the end Montalbano faces the toughest challenge of his career: to try to comprehend the female psyche to solve this crime. 16 - Track of Sand La pista di sabbia A badly injured horse dies on the beach in front of Montalbanos house. The investigation opened by the Chief detective brings him into contact with elegant races organized by local nobles, as well as the secret contests held by the mafia for illegal betting. Montalbano even meets a beautiful horsewoman who is a friend of Ingrids. Avoiding the distractions placed in his way, Montalbano solves the case with a crafty strategy, even clearing the faithful Galluzzo of a murder charge. 17 - The Wings of the Sphynx Le ali della sfinge The naked body of a young woman that has been shot in the face is found at a dumpsite. On her shoulder the same tattooed butterfly as all the other eastern European girls that have found shelter at the local church. When Montalbano starts his investigation, the bishop has a strange reaction. The police chief pressures him into leaving the bishop alone and Livia pressures him into taking her someplace nice, to sort things out.

As usual, Montalbano solves the case. But his personal life is in a pretty bad shape... 18 - August Flame (August Heat) La vampa d'agosto While a guest at the rented beach house of a fellow officer and his family, Montalbano discovers the body of Rina, a young woman who had disappeared six years earlier, in a trunk. As he begins his investigation, Montalbano falls prey to a burning passion for the dead womans twin sister Adriana. She helps him search for the murderer, but, at the same time, she drives him wild, to the point where he unwittingly starts carrying out her plans for vengeance. 19 - The Potter's Field Il campo del vasaio A disfigured corpse is discovered in a field of clay outside Vigata. The body has been there for months, exposed to the elements. There's no way of indentifying it in the initial phase, but a woman has reported her husband missing, a Columbian forn named Giovanni Alfano. As the murder details are fleshed out, a strong parallel develops with the biblical tale of Judas, and the 30 pieces of silver thrown to the ground in a potter's field.

And the possibilities develop that the murder was a mafia one - the death of the treacherous member of la famiglia. At the station, Montalbano also has his hands full with the moods of Mimi Augello, and the discovery that Mimi has a secret lover. A rich episode of Montalbano indeed! 20 - The Gull's Dance La danza del gabbiano A little known fact: seagulls often engage in a macabre dance prior to their death. Montalbano is fascinated to see such an event as he prepares to meet Livia for a holiday. He just needs to check at the office before he leaves, but... It's evident when he arrives that Fazio has not arrived, and what's more, he cannot be contacted. The only lead is an oppointment Fazio had with a former classmate. The last time he was seen was on the docks in a previous investigation. The clues lead to a search in the country, and soon, a body turns up... 21 - Treasure Hunt La caccia al tesoro One morning, Gregorio and Caterina Palmisano, brother and sister, and a pair of bigoted elderly citizens take to shooting from their balcony!

It's a tense situation when Montalban seeks to disarm the older Sicilians, but the tension is broken by curiosity when he discovers and inflatable doll in their apartment, along with other signs of madness. And what should burn up the next day? A twin to the inflatable doll! Soon enough, a corpse will be discovered, and a very Sicilian treasure hunt will commence... 22 - The Age of Doubt Letà del dubbio A shock upon awakening: Montalbano has dreamed his own funeral. And Livia did not attend... The episode is all about the sea, about dreams, and about Salvo Montalbano's frustrations with growing older, but first the crime: a disfigured corpse is discovered upon a boat in the Vigat harbour. The investigation focus on a range of characters all based around the harbour. It's initially uncertain whether the case is a suicide, or a murder, but once the latter is established, a comples case gets underway. 23 - Angelica's Smile Il sorriso di Angelica A series of robberies take place within the singular Vigata s elite. One of the victims is Angelica, a young bank manager: gorgeous, magnetic.

Montalbano is bowled over; she suggests the heroine of Ariosto's Orlando Furiouso and not only for her name. Salvo falls to her feet like a schoolboy and tries his best in fighting a difficult battle to resist her. Meanwhile, the investigation continues until he realizes that the robberies are only a cover for something completely different, much more serious and tragic. 24 - Mirror Effect Somebody's trying to confuse Detective Montalbano: a strange villa, a love story out of Shakespeare, some mysterious explosions and a couple of dead bodies complicate the question of what is and isn't real. A game of mirrors seems to culminate in a warning to Montalbano himself. One thing is certain; behind this strange case there is something really big and the detective has to find out what it is. As the case gets more difficult, something slips out of Montalbano's control. 25 - A Voice in the Night Una voce di notte A theft at a supermarket controlled by a Mafia family... and the Mafia inspires fear, especially when it s allied with politics. Montalbano finds himself having to trap the guilty using even more unconventional methods.

This time he does something he'd never done before, at least up to now. But when your adversaries aren t following the rules, you re authorized to break them yourself. In the end what counts is just solving the case, at least until the next homicide. 26 - A Ray of Light Thousands of Tunisians are fleeing their homeland for Sicily and at the same time a great number of robberies have started. To Montalbano, the connections between the refugees and the robberies sounds contradictory. Running parallel to two robbery cases is another case linked to arms dealers. During the investigations it becomes increasingly clear that the three men involved are not terrorists, but were trying to get weapons to the rebels fighting against dictatorship in Tunisia. Order of Andrea Camilleri Books - OrderOfBooks.com Home | Characters | Authors Order of Andrea Camilleri Books Andrea Camilleri is a Sicilian author of mystery novels. He has also worked as a director of stageplays and screenwriter. His series character is Inspector Montalbano . He is the winner of the Crime Writers’ Association International Dagger Award in 2012 and the Nino Martoglio International Book Award in 1998.

His works are increasing in popularity in the UK, Australia and North America. Andrea Camilleri became a published author in 1978 with Il Corso Delle Cose (“The Way Things Go”). He would follow it up with Un Filo di Fumo (“A Thread of Smoke”), but neither of the novels gained any traction and were not translated into English. His first novel to be translated to English was The Shape of Water in 2002 (originally published in Italian in 1994). Below is a list of Andrea Camilleri’s books in order of when they were published in their English language editions: Publication Order of Inspector Montalbano Books The Shape of Water Montalbano's First Case and Other Stories | Boston Public Library | BiblioCommons Montalbano's First Case and Other Stories Print "Inspector Montalbano has charmed readers in nineteen popular novels, and now in Montalbano's First Case and Other Stories, Andrea Camilleri has selected twenty-one short stories, written with his trademark wit and humor, that follow Italy's famous detective through highlight cases of his career.

From the title story, featuring a young deputy Montalbano newly assigned to Vigata, "Montalbano Says No," in which the inspector makes a late-night call to Camilleri himself to refuse an outlandish case, this collection is an essential addition to any Inspector Montalbano fan's bookshelf and a wonderful way to introduce readers to the international bestselling series"-- "From the author of the New York Times-bestselling Inspector Montalbano mystery series, twenty-one short stories spanning the beloved detective's career. Inspector Montalbano has charmed readers in nineteen popular novels, and now in Montalbano's First Case and Other Stories, Andrea Camilleri has selected twenty-one short stories, written with his trademark wit and humor, that follow Italy's famous detective through highlight cases of his career.

From the title story, featuring a young deputy Montalbano newly assigned to Vigata, "Montalbano Says No," in which the inspector makes a late-night call to Camilleri himself to refuse an outlandish case, this collection is an essential addition to any Inspector Montalbano fan's bookshelf and a wonderful way to introduce readers to the internationally bestselling series"-- Publisher: New York, New York : Penguin Books, [2016] ISBN: 9780143121626 Branch Call Number: CAMILLER A Characteristics: xvi, 538 pages ; 22 cm g gvenkatesh Aug 05, 2016 The Brits have Morse, the French have Maigret and the Italians have Montalbano. Very similar and yet unique in their national contexts. The stories are easy to read and the plots not very complicated. But it is the interleaving of the Inspector's character and personal life within the crime solving that makes the stories delightful to read. The interactions between the police characters are lively with frequent more-than-gentle ribbing.

Much more realistic and engaging than the bone-dry, too-sanitized characters of over-hyped Michele Giuttari in Italian crime fiction. The stories aren't really short (the first one runs about 120 pages) but the character treatment is more like in a short story and each story stands by itself. The plots don't get too dark and are suitable for all audiences (although the language is often strong and "colorful"). The only negative is the English translation which like so much of Italian fiction don't just get translated but rephrased, as in this case, for US readers (e.g., reference to Indianapolis race track rather than Monza as an Italian might use - even if he is related to Mario Andretti). So sometimes it feels a bit like eating American Italian versions of Italian recipes losing the original character. But an annoying problem is the translation of the variations in language for characters in the original which is always difficult for a translator. For example, less educated or working class characters or from a different region may speak a different vernacular or with a different accent.

The author has several such characters and the translator has adopted a lazy method of writing the proper English sentences for the translation and then randomly contracting or misspelling the words which just makes them annoying to read. For example, "'Cause you axed me if Isspector Augello talked t' me poisonally in poisson. An' in fack i' was 'is goilfriend 'at called" or from another character "I'd like f' see whachoo'd do ...". Reader has no idea if the character is from a different region or educational level or has a speech impediment, it all sounds the same and artificial. Like d Dub May 20, 2016 Excellent storytelling, great characters and all in Sicily. Imaginative and entertaining...great summer read or any time for that matter. Highly recommended. Like Montalbano's First Case and Other Stories | Chinook Arch Regional Library System | BiblioCommons Montalbano's First Case and Other Stories Print "From the author of the New York Times-bestselling Inspector Montalbano mystery series, twenty-one short stories spanning the beloved detective's career.

Inspector Montalbano has charmed readers in nineteen popular novels, and now in Montalbano's First Case and Other Stories, Andrea Camilleri has selected twenty-one short stories, written with his trademark wit and humor, that follow Italy's famous detective through highlight cases of his career. From the title story, featuring a young deputy Montalbano newly assigned to Vigata, "Montalbano Says No," in which the inspector makes a late-night call to Camilleri himself to refuse an outlandish case, this collection is an essential addition to any Inspector Montalbano fan's bookshelf and a wonderful way to introduce readers to the internationally bestselling series"-- Provided by publisher. "Inspector Montalbano has charmed readers in nineteen popular novels, and now in Montalbano's First Case and Other Stories, Andrea Camilleri has selected twenty-one short stories, written with his trademark wit and humor, that follow Italy's famous detective through highlight cases of his career.

From the title story, featuring a young deputy Montalbano newly assigned to Vigata, "Montalbano Says No," in which the inspector makes a late-night call to Camilleri himself to refuse an outlandish case, this collection is an essential addition to any Inspector Montalbano fan's bookshelf and a wonderful way to introduce readers to the international bestselling series"-- Provided by publisher. Publisher: New York, New York :, Penguin Books,, [2016] ISBN: 9780143121626 g gvenkatesh Aug 05, 2016 The Brits have Morse, the French have Maigret and the Italians have Montalbano. Very similar and yet unique in their national contexts. The stories are easy to read and the plots not very complicated. But it is the interleaving of the Inspector's character and personal life within the crime solving that makes the stories delightful to read. The interactions between the police characters are lively with frequent more-than-gentle ribbing. Much more realistic and engaging than the bone-dry, too-sanitized characters of over-hyped Michele Giuttari in Italian crime fiction.

The stories aren't really short (the first one runs about 120 pages) but the character treatment is more like in a short story and each story stands by itself. The plots don't get too dark and are suitable for all audiences (although the language is often strong and "colorful"). The only negative is the English translation which like so much of Italian fiction don't just get translated but rephrased, as in this case, for US readers (e.g., reference to Indianapolis race track rather than Monza as an Italian might use - even if he is related to Mario Andretti). So sometimes it feels a bit like eating American Italian versions of Italian recipes losing the original character. But an annoying problem is the translation of the variations in language for characters in the original which is always difficult for a translator. For example, less educated or working class characters or from a different region may speak a different vernacular or with a different accent. The author has several such characters and the translator has adopted a lazy method of writing the proper English sentences for the translation and then randomly contracting or misspelling the words which just makes them annoying to read.

For example, "'Cause you axed me if Isspector Augello talked t' me poisonally in poisson. An' in fack i' was 'is goilfriend 'at called" or from another character "I'd like f' see whachoo'd do ...". Reader has no idea if the character is from a different region or educational level or has a speech impediment, it all sounds the same and artificial. Like d Dub May 20, 2016 Excellent storytelling, great characters and all in Sicily. Imaginative and entertaining...great summer read or any time for that matter. Highly recommended. Like Montalbano's First Case and Other Stories | Redwood City Public Library | BiblioCommons Montalbano's First Case and Other Stories Print "From the author of the New York Times-bestselling Inspector Montalbano mystery series, twenty-one short stories spanning the beloved detective's career.

Inspector Montalbano has charmed readers in nineteen popular novels, and now in Montalbano's First Case and Other Stories, Andrea Camilleri has selected twenty-one short stories, written with his trademark wit and humor, that follow Italy's famous detective through highlight cases of his career. From the title story, featuring a young deputy Montalbano newly assigned to Vigata, "Montalbano Says No," in which the inspector makes a late-night call to Camilleri himself to refuse an outlandish case, this collection is an essential addition to any Inspector Montalbano fan's bookshelf and a wonderful way to introduce readers to the internationally bestselling series"-- Provided by publisher. "Inspector Montalbano has charmed readers in nineteen popular novels, and now in Montalbano's First Case and Other Stories, Andrea Camilleri has selected twenty-one short stories, written with his trademark wit and humor, that follow Italy's famous detective through highlight cases of his career.

From the title story, featuring a young deputy Montalbano newly assigned to Vigata, "Montalbano Says No," in which the inspector makes a late-night call to Camilleri himself to refuse an outlandish case, this collection is an essential addition to any Inspector Montalbano fan's bookshelf and a wonderful way to introduce readers to the international bestselling series"-- Provided by publisher. Publisher: New York, New York :, Penguin Books,, [2016] ISBN: 9780143121626 g gvenkatesh Aug 05, 2016 The Brits have Morse, the French have Maigret and the Italians have Montalbano. Very similar and yet unique in their national contexts. The stories are easy to read and the plots not very complicated. But it is the interleaving of the Inspector's character and personal life within the crime solving that makes the stories delightful to read. The interactions between the police characters are lively with frequent more-than-gentle ribbing. Much more realistic and engaging than the bone-dry, too-sanitized characters of over-hyped Michele Giuttari in Italian crime fiction.

The stories aren't really short (the first one runs about 120 pages) but the character treatment is more like in a short story and each story stands by itself. The plots don't get too dark and are suitable for all audiences (although the language is often strong and "colorful"). The only negative is the English translation which like so much of Italian fiction don't just get translated but rephrased, as in this case, for US readers (e.g., reference to Indianapolis race track rather than Monza as an Italian might use - even if he is related to Mario Andretti). So sometimes it feels a bit like eating American Italian versions of Italian recipes losing the original character. But an annoying problem is the translation of the variations in language for characters in the original which is always difficult for a translator. For example, less educated or working class characters or from a different region may speak a different vernacular or with a different accent. The author has several such characters and the translator has adopted a lazy method of writing the proper English sentences for the translation and then randomly contracting or misspelling the words which just makes them annoying to read.

For example, "'Cause you axed me if Isspector Augello talked t' me poisonally in poisson. An' in fack i' was 'is goilfriend 'at called" or from another character "I'd like f' see whachoo'd do ...". Reader has no idea if the character is from a different region or educational level or has a speech impediment, it all sounds the same and artificial. Like d Dub May 20, 2016 Excellent storytelling, great characters and all in Sicily. Imaginative and entertaining...great summer read or any time for that matter. Highly recommended. Like Montalbano's First Case and Other Stories | South San Francisco Public Library | BiblioCommons Montalbano's First Case and Other Stories Print "From the author of the New York Times-bestselling Inspector Montalbano mystery series, twenty-one short stories spanning the beloved detective's career.

Inspector Montalbano has charmed readers in nineteen popular novels, and now in Montalbano's First Case and Other Stories, Andrea Camilleri has selected twenty-one short stories, written with his trademark wit and humor, that follow Italy's famous detective through highlight cases of his career. From the title story, featuring a young deputy Montalbano newly assigned to Vigata, "Montalbano Says No," in which the inspector makes a late-night call to Camilleri himself to refuse an outlandish case, this collection is an essential addition to any Inspector Montalbano fan's bookshelf and a wonderful way to introduce readers to the internationally bestselling series"-- Provided by publisher. "Inspector Montalbano has charmed readers in nineteen popular novels, and now in Montalbano's First Case and Other Stories, Andrea Camilleri has selected twenty-one short stories, written with his trademark wit and humor, that follow Italy's famous detective through highlight cases of his career.

From the title story, featuring a young deputy Montalbano newly assigned to Vigata, "Montalbano Says No," in which the inspector makes a late-night call to Camilleri himself to refuse an outlandish case, this collection is an essential addition to any Inspector Montalbano fan's bookshelf and a wonderful way to introduce readers to the international bestselling series"-- Provided by publisher. Publisher: New York, New York :, Penguin Books,, [2016] ISBN: 9780143121626 g gvenkatesh Aug 05, 2016 The Brits have Morse, the French have Maigret and the Italians have Montalbano. Very similar and yet unique in their national contexts. The stories are easy to read and the plots not very complicated. But it is the interleaving of the Inspector's character and personal life within the crime solving that makes the stories delightful to read. The interactions between the police characters are lively with frequent more-than-gentle ribbing. Much more realistic and engaging than the bone-dry, too-sanitized characters of over-hyped Michele Giuttari in Italian crime fiction.

The stories aren't really short (the first one runs about 120 pages) but the character treatment is more like in a short story and each story stands by itself. The plots don't get too dark and are suitable for all audiences (although the language is often strong and "colorful"). The only negative is the English translation which like so much of Italian fiction don't just get translated but rephrased, as in this case, for US readers (e.g., reference to Indianapolis race track rather than Monza as an Italian might use - even if he is related to Mario Andretti). So sometimes it feels a bit like eating American Italian versions of Italian recipes losing the original character. But an annoying problem is the translation of the variations in language for characters in the original which is always difficult for a translator. For example, less educated or working class characters or from a different region may speak a different vernacular or with a different accent. The author has several such characters and the translator has adopted a lazy method of writing the proper English sentences for the translation and then randomly contracting or misspelling the words which just makes them annoying to read.

For example, "'Cause you axed me if Isspector Augello talked t' me poisonally in poisson. An' in fack i' was 'is goilfriend 'at called" or from another character "I'd like f' see whachoo'd do ...". Reader has no idea if the character is from a different region or educational level or has a speech impediment, it all sounds the same and artificial. Like d Dub May 20, 2016 Excellent storytelling, great characters and all in Sicily. Imaginative and entertaining...great summer read or any time for that matter. Highly recommended. Like Montalbano's First Case and Other Stories | San Mateo County Libraries | BiblioCommons Montalbano's First Case and Other Stories Print "From the author of the New York Times-bestselling Inspector Montalbano mystery series, twenty-one short stories spanning the beloved detective's career.

Inspector Montalbano has charmed readers in nineteen popular novels, and now in Montalbano's First Case and Other Stories, Andrea Camilleri has selected twenty-one short stories, written with his trademark wit and humor, that follow Italy's famous detective through highlight cases of his career. From the title story, featuring a young deputy Montalbano newly assigned to Vigata, "Montalbano Says No," in which the inspector makes a late-night call to Camilleri himself to refuse an outlandish case, this collection is an essential addition to any Inspector Montalbano fan's bookshelf and a wonderful way to introduce readers to the internationally bestselling series"-- Provided by publisher. "Inspector Montalbano has charmed readers in nineteen popular novels, and now in Montalbano's First Case and Other Stories, Andrea Camilleri has selected twenty-one short stories, written with his trademark wit and humor, that follow Italy's famous detective through highlight cases of his career.

From the title story, featuring a young deputy Montalbano newly assigned to Vigata, "Montalbano Says No," in which the inspector makes a late-night call to Camilleri himself to refuse an outlandish case, this collection is an essential addition to any Inspector Montalbano fan's bookshelf and a wonderful way to introduce readers to the international bestselling series"-- Provided by publisher. Publisher: New York, New York :, Penguin Books,, [2016] ISBN: 9780143121626 g gvenkatesh Aug 05, 2016 The Brits have Morse, the French have Maigret and the Italians have Montalbano. Very similar and yet unique in their national contexts. The stories are easy to read and the plots not very complicated. But it is the interleaving of the Inspector's character and personal life within the crime solving that makes the stories delightful to read. The interactions between the police characters are lively with frequent more-than-gentle ribbing. Much more realistic and engaging than the bone-dry, too-sanitized characters of over-hyped Michele Giuttari in Italian crime fiction.

The stories aren't really short (the first one runs about 120 pages) but the character treatment is more like in a short story and each story stands by itself. The plots don't get too dark and are suitable for all audiences (although the language is often strong and "colorful"). The only negative is the English translation which like so much of Italian fiction don't just get translated but rephrased, as in this case, for US readers (e.g., reference to Indianapolis race track rather than Monza as an Italian might use - even if he is related to Mario Andretti). So sometimes it feels a bit like eating American Italian versions of Italian recipes losing the original character. But an annoying problem is the translation of the variations in language for characters in the original which is always difficult for a translator. For example, less educated or working class characters or from a different region may speak a different vernacular or with a different accent. The author has several such characters and the translator has adopted a lazy method of writing the proper English sentences for the translation and then randomly contracting or misspelling the words which just makes them annoying to read.

For example, "'Cause you axed me if Isspector Augello talked t' me poisonally in poisson. An' in fack i' was 'is goilfriend 'at called" or from another character "I'd like f' see whachoo'd do ...". Reader has no idea if the character is from a different region or educational level or has a speech impediment, it all sounds the same and artificial. Like d Dub May 20, 2016 Excellent storytelling, great characters and all in Sicily. Imaginative and entertaining...great summer read or any time for that matter. Highly recommended. Like Montalbano's First Case and Other Stories | Daly City Public Library | BiblioCommons Montalbano's First Case and Other Stories Print "From the author of the New York Times-bestselling Inspector Montalbano mystery series, twenty-one short stories spanning the beloved detective's career.

Inspector Montalbano has charmed readers in nineteen popular novels, and now in Montalbano's First Case and Other Stories, Andrea Camilleri has selected twenty-one short stories, written with his trademark wit and humor, that follow Italy's famous detective through highlight cases of his career. From the title story, featuring a young deputy Montalbano newly assigned to Vigata, "Montalbano Says No," in which the inspector makes a late-night call to Camilleri himself to refuse an outlandish case, this collection is an essential addition to any Inspector Montalbano fan's bookshelf and a wonderful way to introduce readers to the internationally bestselling series"-- Provided by publisher. "Inspector Montalbano has charmed readers in nineteen popular novels, and now in Montalbano's First Case and Other Stories, Andrea Camilleri has selected twenty-one short stories, written with his trademark wit and humor, that follow Italy's famous detective through highlight cases of his career.

From the title story, featuring a young deputy Montalbano newly assigned to Vigata, "Montalbano Says No," in which the inspector makes a late-night call to Camilleri himself to refuse an outlandish case, this collection is an essential addition to any Inspector Montalbano fan's bookshelf and a wonderful way to introduce readers to the international bestselling series"-- Provided by publisher. Publisher: New York, New York :, Penguin Books,, [2016] ISBN: 9780143121626 g gvenkatesh Aug 05, 2016 The Brits have Morse, the French have Maigret and the Italians have Montalbano. Very similar and yet unique in their national contexts. The stories are easy to read and the plots not very complicated. But it is the interleaving of the Inspector's character and personal life within the crime solving that makes the stories delightful to read. The interactions between the police characters are lively with frequent more-than-gentle ribbing. Much more realistic and engaging than the bone-dry, too-sanitized characters of over-hyped Michele Giuttari in Italian crime fiction.

The stories aren't really short (the first one runs about 120 pages) but the character treatment is more like in a short story and each story stands by itself. The plots don't get too dark and are suitable for all audiences (although the language is often strong and "colorful"). The only negative is the English translation which like so much of Italian fiction don't just get translated but rephrased, as in this case, for US readers (e.g., reference to Indianapolis race track rather than Monza as an Italian might use - even if he is related to Mario Andretti). So sometimes it feels a bit like eating American Italian versions of Italian recipes losing the original character. But an annoying problem is the translation of the variations in language for characters in the original which is always difficult for a translator. For example, less educated or working class characters or from a different region may speak a different vernacular or with a different accent. The author has several such characters and the translator has adopted a lazy method of writing the proper English sentences for the translation and then randomly contracting or misspelling the words which just makes them annoying to read.

For example, "'Cause you axed me if Isspector Augello talked t' me poisonally in poisson. An' in fack i' was 'is goilfriend 'at called" or from another character "I'd like f' see whachoo'd do ...". Reader has no idea if the character is from a different region or educational level or has a speech impediment, it all sounds the same and artificial. Like d Dub May 20, 2016 Excellent storytelling, great characters and all in Sicily. Imaginative and entertaining...great summer read or any time for that matter. Highly recommended. Like Montalbano's First Case and Other Stories | St. Albert Public Library | BiblioCommons Montalbano's First Case and Other Stories Print "Inspector Montalbano has charmed readers in nineteen popular novels, and now in Montalbano's First Case and Other Stories, Andrea Camilleri has selected twenty-one short stories, written with his trademark wit and humor, that follow Italy's famous detective through highlight cases of his career.

From the title story, featuring a young deputy Montalbano newly assigned to Vigàta, "Montalbano Says No," in which the inspector makes a late-night call to Camilleri himself to refuse an outlandish case, this collection is an essential addition to any Inspector Montalbano fan's bookshelf and a wonderful way to introduce readers to the international bestselling series"-- "From the author of the New York Times-bestselling Inspector Montalbano mystery series, twenty-one short stories spanning the beloved detective's career. Inspector Montalbano has charmed readers in nineteen popular novels, and now in Montalbano's First Case and Other Stories, Andrea Camilleri has selected twenty-one short stories, written with his trademark wit and humor, that follow Italy's famous detective through highlight cases of his career.

From the title story, featuring a young deputy Montalbano newly assigned to Vigàta, "Montalbano Says No," in which the inspector makes a late-night call to Camilleri himself to refuse an outlandish case, this collection is an essential addition to any Inspector Montalbano fan's bookshelf and a wonderful way to introduce readers to the internationally bestselling series"-- Publisher: New York, New York :, Penguin Books,, 2016 ISBN: 9780143121626 g gvenkatesh Aug 05, 2016 The Brits have Morse, the French have Maigret and the Italians have Montalbano. Very similar and yet unique in their national contexts. The stories are easy to read and the plots not very complicated. But it is the interleaving of the Inspector's character and personal life within the crime solving that makes the stories delightful to read. The interactions between the police characters are lively with frequent more-than-gentle ribbing. Much more realistic and engaging than the bone-dry, too-sanitized characters of over-hyped Michele Giuttari in Italian crime fiction.

The stories aren't really short (the first one runs about 120 pages) but the character treatment is more like in a short story and each story stands by itself. The plots don't get too dark and are suitable for all audiences (although the language is often strong and "colorful"). The only negative is the English translation which like so much of Italian fiction don't just get translated but rephrased, as in this case, for US readers (e.g., reference to Indianapolis race track rather than Monza as an Italian might use - even if he is related to Mario Andretti). So sometimes it feels a bit like eating American Italian versions of Italian recipes losing the original character. But an annoying problem is the translation of the variations in language for characters in the original which is always difficult for a translator. For example, less educated or working class characters or from a different region may speak a different vernacular or with a different accent. The author has several such characters and the translator has adopted a lazy method of writing the proper English sentences for the translation and then randomly contracting or misspelling the words which just makes them annoying to read.

For example, "'Cause you axed me if Isspector Augello talked t' me poisonally in poisson. An' in fack i' was 'is goilfriend 'at called" or from another character "I'd like f' see whachoo'd do ...". Reader has no idea if the character is from a different region or educational level or has a speech impediment, it all sounds the same and artificial. Like d Dub May 20, 2016 Excellent storytelling, great characters and all in Sicily. Imaginative and entertaining...great summer read or any time for that matter. Highly recommended. Like

Question: Which Italian region is the setting for the Inspector Montalban novels by Andrea Camilleri?
Answer: SICILY